Nicholls tipped for No. 3 as New Zealand enter post-Williamson era

New Zealand head coach Rob Walter has said Henry Nicholls deserves the chance to bat at No. 3 in Tests following Kane Williamson's retirement.

The vacancy

With Williamson stepping away from Test cricket, New Zealand need a new anchor at first drop. Walter believes Nicholls has the experience, technique, and temperament to fill that spot. He deserves the opportunity based on his record and ability to handle pressure. Walter is making an early case for stability in the batting order — slotting the experienced Nicholls at No. 3 rather than experimenting, as NZ enter the post-Williamson era.

Playing a Test after a year and stepping into Williamson's shoes, Nicholls made a composed 121 at The Oval in June, setting up a series-levelling win after the Black Caps had lost the opening Test at Lord's. The knock took Nicholls' Test century tally to 11 - only six other New Zealanders have more tons than him.

"Well, I mean, the reality was Henry was our back-up batter in the Test squad," Walter said after arriving in Auckland following series wins in the West Indies and England. "At the time of his selection in the squad as a back-up batter... whilst there may have been somebody to ask questions, I don't think anyone could ask the questions based on the performances that Henry had put in when he'd gone back to domestic cricket. Ultimately, it's a lesson for anyone that there's always going to be these disappointments of being left out of the team. But all you can do is just go back, work hard, put some runs on the board, put performances on the board, win games for your team.

"He's deserved it" - Walter won't give the No. 3 spot to anyone else. He wants Nicholls to take it. Walter acknowledged it's a tough way to get the chance: "Henry wouldn't have wanted to get his opportunity through Kane's retirement because that was in itself a loss for the team. "But he highlighted Nicholls' experience: "highly experienced guy with lots of performance under the belt", coming in "on the back of strong performances domestically. "Why Nicholls is in the frame:

Domestic dominance: Top scorer for Canterbury in 2025-26 Plunket Shield — 870 runs in 11 innings @ 96.66 in their title run. Also topped the Ford Trophy run charts the previous season. Forced his way back after being dropped from the Test side. When asked if he thought his international days were over after being dropped, the 34-year-old was philosophical.

"Even if I wasn't, I would have still been content with it. [I'm] very pleased to be back and [it was] a fun series, albeit it feels like a little bit ago. The reception that we had today [in Auckland], I know how important it was for everyone back here."

Nicholls and the rest of the New Zealand players will either take a break during the winter or feature in franchise T20 leagues before they come together for an all-format visit by India from October-November.